Pump attachment for internal combustion motors



March 13, 1934.

. Filed March 23, 1935 Patented Mar. 33, 1934 1 ATTACHMENT FOR INTERNAL CQUSTION' MOTORS John Good, Wash, 1). C. Application March 23, 1933, Serial No. 662,363

This invention relates to apparatus for use with internal combustion motors whereby one or more motor cylinders may be readily converted to permit their use for the compression or pumping 5 of air. It is the principal object of the invention to provide a, device of this character which i replace the conventional spark plug and which will function either for ignition purposes or for air compression without the removal oi any parts,

it? so thut if desired the device may be more or less permanently associated with the motor.

Thus in the preferred form oi the invention the device may consist of a. complete unit embodymg an ignition means, not differing meterielly from the conventional spark plug, and velve controlled passages for introducing sir into the cylinder and permitting discharge of air therefrom. It is a feature of the invention that the passages in question are pieced in communicetion with the cylinder by simple menipuletion oi the ignition means without removal of the letter, the construction being such that when communiontion is thus effected the ignition current is necessorily interrupted. By this arrangement the goossibility of firing any charge which might be drown into the cylinder while it is acting es El pump is eliminated.

it is a further object of the invention to pro- 'vide s device of this character in which the resistsnce to flow of air into the cylinder is reduced to a, minimum, whereby substantially pure sir tree of combustible mixture will be drawn into the cylinder and discharged therefrom.

It is a. further object of the invention to provide a, pump attachment for internal combustion motor cylinders employing an ignition means adapted to seat within the cylinder head in such manner that the two electrodes occupy the con- 1 ventional position with respect to the combustion chamber, one of these electrodes being movably supported with respect to the other whereby the gap between the electrodes may be increased to such an extent as to prevent firing, the displace= illustrating the invention is described templeted such as thresded openinsl l adopted to receive the ment of the movable electrode serving to piece the combustion chamber in direct communication ment, the disposition of the parts being such that the cylinder muyi'unction no; and

Figure 2 is e fragmentary sectional view illus trating the relative position of the parts when the cylinder is used for pumping sir.

in order to iecilitete on understanding or the invention, the device mlected for the use of specifl herein. It will be understood, however, that no iimitction of the scope or the invention is there- $5 by intended d that various alterations are contsil within the underlying principles of the inventions v Referring more specifically to the drawing, it

will be observed that e, conventional interned combustion motor cylinder ill is illustrstc the cylinder being provided with the usuel woter isciret ll end 2. piston 12 reciprocating in the cylinder. The cylinder is also provided with the CPL conventional spas-it plug. In the spplicetion of my invention the snarl: plug is removed from one or more of the motor cylinders and is replaced by the device shown in the drawing, this device ureierebly comprising as member is he a threaded tubular extension 16 st the lower end thereof, the letter being receivable win; the spark plug ones it. Cooperating electrodw is and 19 provided, the letter exten through an insulating element 21, preferebly or. porcelain, and having a conducting b 22 sec to-its upper end, this being edapted'tc receive the usual cooperating contact member on the ignition wire. The element 21 is in turn received within a. sleeve 24 which is threaded in an opening 25 extending through the member 15. A nut 27 is threaded in the sleeve 24 and engages the insulating element 21 to retain the latter in .any desired position as shown in the drawing. The lower end of the sleeve 24 is adapted to seat against an annular shoulder 28 to close the lower portion 26 of the opening 25, a gasket 30 being preferably employed to prevent leakage of the products of combustion.

It will be observed from the construction thus for described that the device is'formed and functions identically with the, conventional spark plug when the parts occupy the position in which they are shown in'l igure 1 o! the drawing, the electrodes 18 and 19 extending within or to a point adjacent to the combustion chamber so that the main portion or the combustion charge may be directlv ignited. r

The member 15 is further provided with an air inlet passage 32 and an air outlet pe 83.1

' the combustion chamber.

these passages merging at their lower ends with the opening 25. When the sleeve 24 occupies the position shown in Figure l of the drawing, communication between the passages 32 and 33 and the opening 26 is interrupted and the passages thus perform no function. If, however, the sleeve 24 be partially withdrawn by threading the same outwardly, the passages 32 and 33 will both be placed in direct communication with the opening and with the combustion chamber oi the cylinder. At the same time the electrodes 18 and 19 will be separated to an extent sumcient to prevent discharge of ignition current therebe-= tween. The sleeve 24 is preferably withdrawn to an extent sumcient to completely open the passages 32 and 33 and may be locked in this partially withdrawn position by means of a nut 34.- whlch is threaded on the exterior of the sleeve 2% and which may be turned down into engagement with annular shoulder 35 surrounding the opening 25.

Check valves are preferably provided in each of the passages 32 and 33, these valves functioning to prevent movement of air in opposite directions in the two passages. Thus the valve in the passage 32 may comprise a ball 37 normally resting on a plurality oi inwardly extending fins 38 in the passage 32 to permit air to pass freely in a downward direction through the passage and into the combustion chamber of the cylinder. A sleeve to is threaded with n the outer end oi the passage 32 as indicated at ll, this sleeve being preferably formed to provide a small chamber 42 having a plurality of apertures 43 therein of such size as to prevent the movement into the passage 32 of large foreign bodies. ther provided with an annular face 45 on which the ball 3'? is adapted to seat when air is being expelled from the combustion chamber, the air presswre forcing the ball into seating position.

The check valve in the passage 33 is iliustramd as comprising a ball 43, the latter being normally retained in engagement with an annular seat 49 so as to prevent movement of air through the passage 33 into the combustion chamber. Preferably a coil spring 50 is provided to retain the ball in the position shown in the drawing, this spring reacting against an annular shoulder 52 formed on the interior of a sleeve 53 which is threaded into the outer end of the passage 33 as indicated at so. The sleeve 53 is also provided with means whereby connection with a conduit or hose will be efiected, for instance the outer end of the sleeve may be threaded as shown at 55 to receive a coupling member.

The operation of the device will be apparent from the foregoing description. When one or more of the spark plugs in a motor are replaced by the device as described hereinbei'ore, the sleeve 24 is first threaded inwardly to the position shown in Figure l of the drawing so that the'device performs the function of the conventional spark plug, the passages 32 and 33 being isolated i'rom Thus the motor may be started in the usual manner with all cylinders functioning and may operate normally until it is desired to utilize the motor for the pumping of air. When such use is required, the sleeve 24 is turned to partially withdraw the same to place the passages 32 and 33 in communication with the opening 25, the nut 34, being turned down to look the sleeve in position. Such cylinders as are now functioning normally will continue to operate, efl'ecting reciprocation oi the piston 12 within the cylinder 10. On the downward or The sleeve to is lurrestore suction stroke air will be drawn into the chamber 42, through the passage 32 about the ball valve 37, tion chamber. On the upward or compression stroke of the piston this air will be discharged through the passage 33, forcing the ball at outwardly in the passage against the action of the coil spring 50 and discharging through the hose or conduit coupled at the outer end of the passage.

When it is desired to discontinue the use of the device as an air compressor, the nut 34' may be loosened and the sleeve 2-2 turned to the position in which it is shown in Figure 1 of the drawing without stopping the motor, and the cylinder automatically resumes its normal function, the electrodes 18 and 19 being again placed in operative relationship and the cylinder head being sealed.

It will be observed that as the result of the very direct connection between the inlet and outlet passages and the cylinder a maximum quantity of air is drawn into the cylinder on each suction stroke and a maximum volume expelled on each compression stroke of the piston. The resistance to flow of air through the inlet passage is so small as compared with the resistance offered to the flow oi combustible mixture into the cylinder that no appreciable quantity of combustible charge will be introduced. It will be appreciated that the partial vacuum established in the intake manifold by reason of the operation of the remaining cylinders also tends to reduce the quantity oi combustible mixture supplied to the cylin der when the device is functioning as a pump.

The device may be either coupled directly to apparatus operable by compressed air, for instance a paint spray, or may be delivered to a supply tank if more uniform pressure is desired.

The invention finds its most important use in motor repair shops where a supply of compressed air is essential in various operations, such as painting or inflation of tires, and since an automobile motor is always available in such shops the expense of installing and maintaining a sep arate pumping unit can be eliminated.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device for use with internal combus= tion motors, the combination with a member having a tubular portion threaded for reception in a spark plug opening and having air inlet and outlet passages counicating with the-interior of said tubular portion, of ignition means supported in said member, said ignition means com prising an electrode formed on said tubular portion, and an electrode movable into and out of operative relationship with said first named electrode, and means associated with said second electrode for interrupting communication between said passages and the tubular-portion oi said member when said second electrode is moved into operative relation with said first electrode.

2. In apparatus for use with internal combustion motors, the combination with a member having air inlet and outlet passages therein and an opening communicating with both of said passages, of ignition means supported within said member for movementinto a position in which communication between said passages and said opening is interrupted, and into a position in which communication is afforded between said passages and said opening and said ignition means is rendered inoperative.

and through the opening 25 into the combus- 3. In apparatus for use with internal combustion motors, the combination with a member having air inlet and outlet passages therein and an opening communicating with both of said passages, of ignition means supported within said member for movement into a position in which communication between said passages and said opening is interrupted,- and into a position in which commimication is afforded between said passages and said opening and said ignition means is rendered inoperative, and means for locking said ignition means in said last named position.

4. In apparatus for use with internal combustion motors, thev combination with a member having air inlet and outlet passages therein and an owning communicating with both of said pas sages, of ignition means supported within said member for movement into a position in which communication between said passages and said opening is interrupted, and into a position in which communication is afforded between said passages and said opening and said ignition means is rendered inoperative, and one-way valves associated with each of said passages.

5. In a device for use with internal combustion motors, the combination with a member having a tubular portion threaded for reception in a spark plug opening and having air inlet and outlet passages communicating with the interior of said tubular portion, of ignition means supported in said member, said ignition means comprising an electrode formed on said tubular portion, and an electrode movable into and out of operative relationship with said first named electrode, means associated with said second electrode for interrupting communication between said passages and the tubular portion of said member when said second electrode is moved into operative relation with said first electrode, and means for locking said second electrode in inoperative position.

6. In a combined spark plug and pump attachment for internal combustion motors, the combination with a pump chamber having air inlet and outlet passages, said chamber being receivable in a spark plug op ning to place said pas sages in communication with a motor cylinder, a fixed electrode carried by said chamber, and a displaceable electrode supported for movement to two positions in which said electrodes are in operative relation and out of operative relation respectively, and means associated with said displaceable electrode and movable therewith to interrupt communication between said passages and the motor cylinder when said electrodes are placed in operative relation.

7. In a combined spark plug and pump attachment for internal combustion motors, the combination with a pump chamber having air inlet and outlet passages, said chamber being receivable in a spark plug opening to place said passages in communication with a motor cylinder, 9. fixed electrode carried by said chamber, and a displaceable electrode supported for movement to two positions in which said electrodes are in operative relation and out of operative relation respectively, said electrodes extendingwithin 'the motor cylinder when in operative relation, and means associated with said displaceable electrode and movable therewith to interrupt communication between said passages and the motor cylinder when said electrodes are placed in operative relation.

8. In apparatus of the class described, the

combination with a pump chamber having air inlet and discharge openings, said chamber being receivable in the spark plug opening of an internal combustion motor to place saidopenings in communication with the motor cylinder, displaceable ignition means movably supported in said chamber, said ignition means being movable therein to a position in which the same is rendered operative for ignition purposes and communication between said openings and cylinder is interrupted, or to a position in which the same is rendered inoperative for ignition purposes and communication between said openings and cylinder is established. I

9. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a pump chamber having air inlet and discharge openings, said chamber being receivable in the sparkplug opening of an internal combustion motor to place said openings in communication with the motor cylinder, of displaceable ignition means movably supported in said chamber, said ignition means being movable therein to a position in which the same is rendered operative for ignition purposes and communication between said openings and cylinder is interrupted, or to a position in which the same.

is rendered inoperative for ignition purposes and communication between said openings and cylinder is established,and means for locking said plug against unintentional displacement from either position.

10. In a combined spark plug and pump at;

tachment for motor vehicles, the combination with a pump chamber having a tubular extension receivable in the spark plug opening of an internal combustion engine, said chamber having a passage aligned with said tubular extension, of ignition means supported for movement within said passage and extension, and separate substantially straight air inlet and outlet passages intersecting said first named passage adjacent said extension.

11. In a combined spark plug and pump attachment for motor vehicles, the combination with a pump chamber having a tubular extension receivable in the spark plug opening of an internal combustion engine, said chamber having a passage aligned with said tubular extension, or ignition means supported for movement within said passage and extension, separate substantially straight air inlet and outlet passages intersecting said first named passage adjacent said extension, said inlet and outlet passagesforming an acute angle with said first named passage, and check valves disposed in said inlet and outlet passages.

12. In a combined spark plug and pump attachment for motor vehicles, the combination with a pump chamber having a tubular extension receivable in the spark plug opening of an internal combustion engine, said chamber having a passage aligned with said tubular extension; of ignition means supported for movement within said passage and extension, separate substantially straight air inlet and outlet passages intersecting said first named passage adjacent said extension, said inlet and outlet passages forming an acute angle with said first named passage, and check valves disposed in said inlet and outlet passages, said ignition means being displaceable to a position in which all of said passages are blocked or to a position in which open communication is atforded between said passages.

13. In a combined spark plug and pump attachment for motor vehicles, the combination with a pump chamber having a tubular extension receivable in the spark plug opening of an internal combustion engine, said'chamber having a passage aligned with said tubular extension, of

an electrode supported for movement within said 7 passage and extension, separate substantially straight air inlet and outlet passages intersecting said first named passage adjacent said extension, said inlet and outlet passages forming an acute angle with said first named passage,

check valves disposed in said inlet and outlet passages, said electrode being displaceable to a position in which all of said passages are blocked or to a position in which open conununication is aiiorded between said passages, and a fixed electrode associated with said tubular extension, said fixed electrode being disposed for cooperation with said first named electrode only when the latter occupies the'passage blocking position.

14. In a combined spark plug and pump attachment for motor vehicles, the combination with a pump chamber having a tubular extension receivable in the spark plug opening of an internal combustion engine, said chamber having a passage aligned with said tubular extension, of ignition-means supported for movement within said passage and extension, separate substantially straight air inlet and outlet passages intersecting said first named passage adjacent'said extension, said inlet and outlet passages forming an acute angle with said first named passage, check valves disposed in said inlet and outlet passages, and a spring in said outlet passage for urging said check valve to closed position.

15. In a combined spark plug and pump attachment for motor vehicles, the combination with a pump chamber having a tubular extension receivable in the spark plug opening of an internal combustion engine, said chamber having a passage aligned with said tubular extension, of ignition means supported for movement within said passage and extension, separate substantially straight air inlet and outlet passages in= tersecting said first named passage adjacent said extension, said inlet and outlet passages forming an acute angle with said first named passage, check valves disposed in said inlet and outlet passages, and a lock nut associated with said ignition means for retaining the latter against unintentional displacement from either position.

JOHN GOODWIN. 

